Russo-Ukrainian war, day 736: Ukraine downs three Russian Su-34 bombers in one day

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Does Russia’s Bashkir problem escape Putin sight?. Recent mass demonstrations in Ufa revived a spirit of rebellion in Bashkortostan that experts warn could spread unrest across Russia’s minority republics.

Russia’s propaganda war: How Putin bought Germany. A new report exposes over 130 Russian influence agents active in Germany, even after the Ukraine invasion. Despite Berlin’s support for Kyiv, the Kremlin exploits long standing economic ties to manipulate German politics and public opinion.

Military

Frontline report: Russia shifts focus to eastern flank in bid to take Kurakhove. Frontline villages like Novomykhailivka and Pobieda key in blunting offensive. Control of supply routes critical – Ukraine manages to reclaim half of Pobieda in counterattack.

Naval Special Operations Center: Soldiers of 73rd Marine Center killed in action. The 73rd Naval Special Ops Center, which liberated Zmiinyi (Snake) Island were killed, conducting a combat mission on Russian-occupied Tendra Spit in Kherson Oblast. After completing their objective, the retreat came under fire.

Ukraine strikes Russian military unit in Donetsk Oblast, kills deputy commander. The missile strike kills 19 Russian soldiers, and injures 12, including the commander of the military unit in Russian-occupied Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast.

Ukraine destroys Russian Su-34 bomber overnight. Ukraine destroyed Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft in a week, Ukraine’s Air Forces reported on 29 February.

Ukraine downs 2 more Russian Su-34 over past day. Ukraine’s Air Forces destroyed the Russian fighter jets in Mariupol and Avdiivka directions.

As of 29 Feb 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 413760 (+1150)
    • Tanks: 6593 (+23)
    • APV: 12552 (+44)
    • Artillery systems: 10070 (+041)
    • MLRS: 1000
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 690 (+2)
    • Aircraft: 342
    • Helicopters: 325
    • UAV: 7768 (+15)
    • Cruise missiles : 1912
    • Warships/boats: 25
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 13152 (+40)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine’s drone production reached 200,000 FPV units in early 2024. “The President talked about 1 million drones – our capacities already allow us to produce that much, and even more,” Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries Hvozdiar told Forbes Ukraine.

International

Minister: Canada open to sending non-combat troops to Ukraine to train Ukrainians. While rejecting sending combat troops to Ukraine, Canada expresses openness to deploying limited military personnel for non-combat training of Ukrainian soldiers within Ukraine, away from front lines.

Reuters: Lithuania pushes for EU-wide deadline to end reliance on Russian gas. As the EU’s energy ministers are set to meet in Brussels on 4 March, Lithuania has prepared a document suggesting that the European Commission should introduce legislation to enforce the 2027 deadline for phasing out Russian gas and LNG.

Bloomberg: Biden calls for G7 action to tap Russian frozen assets for Ukraine. Amid Ukraine’s artillery shortage and a stalled $60 billion aid package in the US Congress, US President Joe Biden is urging G7 nations to make progress on plans to tap frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine by their June meeting, Bloomberg reported.

Poland to consider imposing ban on Russian food imports. According to Bloomberg, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk plans to discuss banning food imports from Russia at a meeting with protesting farmers later on 29 February.

Officials: Ukraine can use Finnish-provided weapons to hit Russian territory. Finland’s Defence Minister says Finland has not restricted Ukraine’s use of weapons it supplied. Finnish Chair of the defense committee agrees Ukraine can legitimately target military sites in Russia.

UK Defense Secretary Shapps urges US Congress to approve aid for Ukraine. “My message to those on Capitol Hill is really simple – I was in the White House and Capitol Hill last month. It is: do this because it’s in the interests of the United States of America,” Grant Shapps said.

Estonian PM: “Everything” on the table to help Ukraine beat Putin. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said all options including troops should be discussed to help Ukraine defeat Russia, while criticizing unequal NATO treatment.

EU Parliament urges EU to give Ukraine whatever it needs, including Taurus. European Parliament resolution calls for unlimited military support to Ukraine to defeat Russia, including advanced weapons and a minimum of 0.25% GDP annually from allies.

Denmark allocates $1.45 mn for Ukraine’s reconstruction, boosts municipal collaboration. The funding will support collaborations between the Danish municipalities of Aarhus and Copenhagen and the Ukrainian cities of Lviv, Kyiv, and Mykolaiv.

New Zealand expands sanctions on 61 more Russian individuals, entities. The sanctions target those procuring weapons and technologies for Russia’s defense industry, including people involved in the purchase of weapons from North Korea.

Humanitarian and social impact

Russian attacks kill 7, injure 12 over past day in Kherson, Donetsk, Kharkiv oblasts. In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian troops killed 4 Ukrainians, including a 6-year-old girl, and injured 6 other people, according to the local governor.

Political and legal developments

Ukraine aid still stalled as US Congressional leaders reach deal to avoid gov’t shutdown. US Congressional leaders negotiated deal for temporary funds averting federal agency shutdowns, but vital emergency assistance for Ukraine still lacks House action for approval.

Read our earlier daily review here

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